June 2017 Issue: A Research Agenda for the Profession of Kinesiology: Made by Us, For Us - Noah Wayne, PhD, RKin and Daniel Santa Mina, PhD RKin

For every health care profession, there is a responsibility to ensure the care provided to clients is based on sound, peer-reviewed evidence - evidence that implies that what we do is safe, effective, and valuable. As Kinesiology has recently been added to the list of regulated healthcare providers in Ontario, the Ontario Kinesiology Association, with guidance from its Academic Advisory Committee, funded a study to identify priority areas of research within kinesiology to help advance the evidence base in strategic ways that are relevant to RKin’s practice needs. The resulting research questions recently published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine represent the first Research Agenda for the profession of kinesiology1.

Our study to establish the research agenda was conducted between June 2015 and March 2016 and consisted of four rounds of participant engagement including baseline focus groups, three rounds of online surveys including a final ranking of top research questions.

Sixty-seven kinesiologists and stakeholders participated in the original focus groups yielding 218 research questions. More than 100 kinesiologists participated in each of the online surveys that helped further refine the questions that were eventually categorized into three research area themes:

1) Clinical Skills

2) Education & Professional Development

3) Contemporary Issues / Advocacy for Professionals.

Of the 218 original research questions, 32 were rated as of ‘significant importance’ by a majority of respondents. These questions were subsequently ranked to identify the top 10 research questions in need of further investigation as defined by members of the RKin community.

The top 10 research questions for RKins are:

1) What is the cost-effectiveness of providing kinesiologist-delivered service for the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease?

2) How do the outcomes of exercise interventions led by kinesiologists compare to those offered by other health service providers, such as personal trainers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or physicians?

3) How would the kinesiologist optimally function within a family health team that delivers rehabilitation and chronic disease prevention and management services?

4) What communication strategies optimally inform the public about the roles kinesiologists can play in health care that are distinct from other health care providers?

5) Which clinical assessment tools and techniques are most appropriate and useful for kinesiologists?

6) What communication strategies optimally inform physicians about the roles kinesiologists can play in health care that are distinct from other health care providers?

7) What are the facilitators and barriers to referrals for kinesiology services by other health care practitioners?

9) What are the best strategies to lobby for and achieve extended health insurance coverage for kinesiology services?

10) What is the cost-benefit of kinesiology services within a multidisciplinary team to treat or prevent chronic disease?

This is the inaugural research agenda for registered kinesiologists. These consensus-based priorities will be shared with researchers and funding organizations in an effort to align new evidence with the needs of practicing kinesiologists.

We would like to thank the participants of the focus groups and survey rounds for their time and effort in establishing this Research Agenda, the OKA Academic Advisory Committee for their guidance and support, and Ontario Kinesiology Association for the financial support to conduct this study.

Embracing Kinesiology

"As part of our continued focus on improving the value of our programs, we reviewed information provided to us by the Ontario Kinesiology Association and believe there is value in helping our members access this service.”

OKA is Proud to be Associated with these Corporate Partners:

The Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) is the voice for
Kinesiologists in Ontario. Actively working on behalf of its members,
the OKA is dedicated to promoting Kinesiology as an integral part of
Ontario's healthcare team, and workplace health and safety system. Read More